An undisclosed illness has forced renowned filmmaker Sydney Pollack to withdraw from his newest movie, Recount, according to a spokeswoman and HBO Films.

"He's got some medical issues," Pollack's spokeswoman Leslie Dart told Reuters.

Sydney Pollack, seen here in New York in January, has turned over the directing duties for his new film Recount because of an undisclosed illness.
(Stuart Ramson/Associated Press)

"He's not feeling well right now. It would be unrealistic for him to go into production right away."

Neither Dart nor HBO Films, which is producing Recount, revealed any details about Pollack's illness.

The 73-year-old, Oscar-winning filmmaker will be replaced by director Jay Roach on Recount, which explores the contested 2000 U.S. election. Roach is best known for helming the Meet the Parents and Austin Powers comedy franchises.

Pollack is best known for the 1985 film Out of Africa, for which he won two Academy Awards as director and producer. His other directing credits include The Way We Were, Tootsie, They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, The Firm, The Interpreter, the 1995 remake of Sabrina and the documentary Sketches of Frank Gehry.

Over the years, Pollack has also often turned in acting performances, most recently making appearances on TV's Will & Grace and The Sopranos.